Jack1B,
Steam 99s has less power than the Juice.
Steam has more control.
Steam has more feel.
Steam has more flex.Spin was no different between the 2.

I still prefer my BLX Pro Opens.

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I don't agree at all with the spin statement. My wife who uses the Juice, and hits a very flat BH, and does have spin on the FH began using the 99s, and immediately there was a noticable difference in the added spin with the 99s.

For the record, she doesn't like the 99s, but was impressed with the fact she gained much more spin with the 99s on the FH and serve.

I feel this is wilson's answer to the apd a pure spin frame and i feel from just collective reading there equal but the steam is giving more spin potential

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I wouldn't really say they are "equal" in any sense. The 99s blows away the APD in terms of spin, has way more power, and hits a much heavier shot. It is also much more comfortable on the arm. The APD is going to feel more "solid" simply because it is so stiff and also FEELS stiff, giving the illusion that it is more "solid".

I feel this is wilson's answer to the apd a pure spin frame and i feel from just collective reading there equal but the steam is giving more spin potential

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I thought the Pro Open was Wilson's APD?... Oh, hang on a minute. Isn't the Juice 100 now their APD/PD!?... Wait a second! The 99s is actually their APD!...

I wouldn't really say they are "equal" in any sense. The 99s blows away the APD in terms of spin, has way more power, and hits a much heavier shot. It is also much more comfortable on the arm.

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As an APD user on and off for a few years, it's this ^ kind of statement that puts the 99s to the no. 1 position in frames I want to check out in 2013. Saying that, botticelli seemed to feel the total opposite re these frames with his little review. Ah well, will just have to wait a bit longer until I can form my own view.

botticelli seemed to feel the total opposite re these frames with his little review. .

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With respect to his review, the data I witnessed with several different playtesters trying out the apd, speed, and 99s, showed facts which are simply hard to ignore. 99s hit with more spin and speed than the apd. Wasn't even close. To add, the height over the net everyone achieved between the two again wasn't close. 99s was out in front.

I'm not saying the 99s will be for everyone. It won't be. People will not like it for a variety of reasons. I for one wish it was a tad bit heavier. But the facts can't be disputed with opinion.

That is a presale date....I want to know the actual date they will be released.

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I want to know the date too, but, from this information, we know it will NOT be Jan 4, as some have speculated in this thread. I would guess 10 - 14 days later, but that is just my estimate based on history.

They are supposed to ship on the 15th to our store. So they will probably be available a couple days after that. Some bigger stores like TW may get them a couple days earlier but for most stores they are being shipped on the 15th

1. Anyone have updated info after playing with both the 99S and regular 99?

2. Has anyone played the 99S with gut/poly? I know Drakulie talked about this and waiting for his update.

3. I normally don't play full bed poly, so any updates on arm issues, etc.. after playing full bed Lux 4G?

Thanks in advance

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My 99s demo was with 4g and Wilson NXT hybrid, it felt great. My only issue was after an hour with a ball machine and 1 match set, the mains were not snapping back into place as much as they should have been. It was not horrible, but the fact that it happened so quickly leads me to believe that in a second, third and fourth match beyond that the movement would be massive. The fell was outstanding though.

My 99s demo was with 4g and Wilson NXT hybrid, it felt great. My only issue was after an hour with a ball machine and 1 match set, the mains were not snapping back into place as much as they should have been. It was not horrible, but the fact that it happened so quickly leads me to believe that in a second, third and fourth match beyond that the movement would be massive. The fell was outstanding though.

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yes I wouldn't recommend a multi cross for the 99s. You need a string that is not soft and gummy to keep the mains sliding. I think a hard slippery syngut will work fine.

Has anyone been able to confirm the stiffness on the 99s? I think I saw somewhere in a previous post that it was 71? I also agree that it feels very comfortable even with a full bed of 4G. No arm issues at all after 90 min on a ball machine. Its actually more comfortable than my Prince EXO3 Red w/ NRG2 17.

Has anyone been able to confirm the stiffness on the 99s? I think I saw somewhere in a previous post that it was 71? I also agree that it feels very comfortable even with a full bed of 4G. No arm issues at all after 90 min on a ball machine. Its actually more comfortable than my Prince EXO3 Red w/ NRG2 17.

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I think its 68-70. Definitely in the high end of stiffness, like the PD, Juice and Extremes. If you have arm or elbow issues, there are much better choices out there, like the Donnay Formula 100 or the Warrior 100. Plus you can't really use a soft multi in this racquet is another negative for TE sufferers.

Its interesting that the stiffness is that high. I guess that along with its static weight and SW make it seem fairly stable to me. I don't feel that I get pushed around much but that was only during some hitting sessions/drills with 3.5-4.0 players (I'm only a 3.5). But I really don't have any elbow problems with it after hitting as I did when I demo'ed the PD12/PDR12. Even the BLX98 (2011) had me icing. This has been very comfortable even with the poly. Never been a Wilson fan but I'm itching to get this!

You also have to remember that when demoing rackets string type, tension and how long they've been sitting in the racket all play a huge role in stiffness And how it will feel to you. To say that it feels like the low 60s is stretching things a bit in my opinion.

You also have to remember that when demoing rackets string type, tension and how long they've been sitting in the racket all play a huge role in stiffness And how it will feel to you. To say that it feels like the low 60s is stretching things a bit in my opinion.

2. Has anyone played the 99S with gut/poly? I know Drakulie talked about this and waiting for his update.

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Awesome! Tons of spin, pace, and comfort,,,,,, much more magnified than with full poly. However, I only got a little over 5 hours with gut (17 g) and 4g at 45 lbs. I'm currently trying it out with 16 g gut. Will post a full review soon.

Flex on a brand new 99s strung at 45 lbs on my Babolat RDC was 68. Although I agree with others that it doesn't feel that high,,,, feels more like in the mid 60's. Very comfortable frame for such a high flex rating.

I demo'd the 105s today for 2 hours... I focused solely on the 105 because the specs were closer in line to what I want than the 99.... I gotta say, I'm sold.

I use a lighter racquet (Dunlop Aerogel 500 light, 16x18, lead at the 3-9) so I can generate more racquethead speed and more topspin since I hit with firm FH topspin, 1H topspin BH, decent kicker 2nd serve, so like I said, the 105 was closer to my needs.

I would say the 105 does as advertised.

My control was solid, bit more useful topspin, racquet felt solid and comfortable, little more kick on the kicker.

Playing matches for only two hours wasn't enough to get everything dialed in, so I'd say I was hitting about 85% of my normal swing speed (because the few times I swung all out I sailed it... which I'm sure I could correct with more time with the stick and a stringing tension adjustment).

I was not able to check the string tension, so I imagine it was strung around 56 (with the 4G in 2 piece). Anyone know if 2 piece is the recommendation? The 4G felt nice, but I'm curious to try some of my current spin favs too(Dunlop Juice, Babolat Pro Hurricane Tour, or BHB7).

For groundstrokes, I didn't see the ball jump any more than usual, but I did play a regular opponent (more on this later) and there were groundies that he whiffed on as the ball jumped past him a few times, and when we played doubles I hit a defensive lob that landed deep and not only jumped over the opponent, but also jumped over the back curtain completely out of play. Odd thing was, I didn't think I put excessive spin on the lob since I was pure on the defense on the shot. BH defensive slices were good. Like I said, I wasn't swinging all out, so even with an easy swing I was getting good bite and drive with slicers.

I have good side to side control on groundies, and even with a new racquet I had the same decent control, maybe a touch more.

Volleys got progressively better as I got more used to the stick... its longer, a bit heavier, bigger head, so I did frame a few, but those I hit solid had good drive and control. I did not have the chance to try any drop shots.

Serves were noticeably better and I adjusted pretty quick to the extra length. My serve and my FH are my strengths, and the extra inch seemed to help with my 1st serve "flat" serve, and the open pattern really helped with my 1st serve slice. I think I actually had more aces with the slice. And with my 2nd serve kicker, it looked like I was getting a touch more kick.

Now (for me at least) the really interesting part. I played singles against a regular friend, then we played doubles against others. Most of the time we play doubles together or against each other, but on occasion we play singles. I've been keeping track of my matches, and I had played this friend in singles in early July and we split sets 4-6 6-3. Two weeks later I beat him 6-2. I played him last Saturday Dec 8 one set of singles and beat him 6-3.... so 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3. Looks pretty consistent.

Played him today with the new stick that I'd never touched before, not even swinging out 100%.... I beat him 6-0 and it wasn't even that close.

He felt he was playing fine (after we played singles we beat another doubles team 6-0, then beat a third team 6-4... so he more than held his own) but like I indicated, without it being real obvious, I think the little extra spin, the little extra control, the little extra length and bigger head size allowing me to get more solid returns, and the little extra + on the serves seemed to make a pretty big difference in the score.

Like I said, I'm sold. Never had a Wilson racquet before (Volkl, Prince, Babolat, Boris Becker, Dunlop)... guess I'll have a couple now!

I've now had a chance to play twice(about 1 hour each time) with my local pro with the 99S. I seem to echo the comments of most of the other posters on this forum. It was strung with full bed 4G. It was a very easy racquet to play with and no arm issues at all(I don't have injury history, but was concerned as I'm approaching 50). Played very solid, no instability noted, great spin with higher net clearance, plenty of power. Definitely going to order one when available in January.

One quick question. The thread is getting long, and I can't remember if anyone has played and compared it to the regular Steam 99. Would appreciate any thoughts comparing the two.

Question for you. You mentioned your wife did not like the 99s even though she hit with a lot of spin. Can you expand why she did not think the racquet was for her game. That for me is interesting as well as the positive comments

Well, I've had some experience with the 99 over the last couple hitting sessions because I've broken strings in the 99S.

I had the 99S strung with 16g 4G and I got about 3 1/2 hours out of it so I had to switch off to the 99. Today I hit for about an hour with Lux Alu BB (ran out of 4G) strung at 58 just like the 4G. The Alu BB lasted less than an hour. :cry: So this is obviously going to be an issue for me with this racquet. I think 4 hours of heavy hitting is fair and I'm able to live with that but anything under that and I may have to reconsider using this racquet.

I know there was some discussion about a 15g 4G string but I can't remember if that is actually going to happen or not. I hope it does because I may put the 15g in the mains and put 16g in the crosses- don't know. Or just go with 15g all the way through. Anyone know for sure about the 15g 4G?

I still love the 99S and prefer it over the 99 only if I can get 4 hours on a string job.

The 99 is just what you would think it would be. It's a little less powerful, hits with less spin, and feels a little more solid due to the tighter string pattern. I think the 99 is an excellent racquet in it's own right. I had mine strung with Lux Savage at 55lbs and would probably prefer 4G 16L at about 52-54lbs in this racquet. Probably 52lbs.

I have some more 4G on the way so I will continue to play test the 99S and see how it works out. I have already made up my mind that one of these is my new racquet. Hoping it's the 99S.

Question for you. You mentioned your wife did not like the 99s even though she hit with a lot of spin. Can you expand why she did not think the racquet was for her game. That for me is interesting as well as the positive comments

Well, I've had some experience with the 99 over the last couple hitting sessions because I've broken strings in the 99S.

I had the 99S strung with 16g 4G and I got about 3 1/2 hours out of it so I had to switch off to the 99. Today I hit for about an hour with Lux Alu BB (ran out of 4G) strung at 58 just like the 4G. The Alu BB lasted less than an hour. :cry: So this is obviously going to be an issue for me with this racquet. I think 4 hours of heavy hitting is fair and I'm able to live with that but anything under that and I may have to reconsider using this racquet.

I know there was some discussion about a 15g 4G string but I can't remember if that is actually going to happen or not. I hope it does because I may put the 15g in the mains and put 16g in the crosses- don't know. Or just go with 15g all the way through. Anyone know for sure about the 15g 4G?

I still love the 99S and prefer it over the 99 only if I can get 4 hours on a string job.

The 99 is just what you would think it would be. It's a little less powerful, hits with less spin, and feels a little more solid due to the tighter string pattern. I think the 99 is an excellent racquet in it's own right. I had mine strung with Lux Savage at 55lbs and would probably prefer 4G 16L at about 52-54lbs in this racquet. Probably 52lbs.

I have some more 4G on the way so I will continue to play test the 99S and see how it works out. I have already made up my mind that one of these is my new racquet. Hoping it's the 99S.

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couch, Luxilon will have a 15 gauge 4G string. I believe I heard it would be released in January 2013.

You are going thru the strings fairly quick, and I suspected this would happen at higher tensions. In my case, I've been stringing at 45, so makes sense I'm getting more durability.

I demo'd the 105s today for 2 hours... I focused solely on the 105 because the specs were closer in line to what I want than the 99.... I gotta say, I'm sold.

I use a lighter racquet (Dunlop Aerogel 500 light, 16x18, lead at the 3-9) so I can generate more racquethead speed and more topspin since I hit with firm FH topspin, 1H topspin BH, decent kicker 2nd serve, so like I said, the 105 was closer to my needs.

I would say the 105 does as advertised.

My control was solid, bit more useful topspin, racquet felt solid and comfortable, little more kick on the kicker.

Playing matches for only two hours wasn't enough to get everything dialed in, so I'd say I was hitting about 85% of my normal swing speed (because the few times I swung all out I sailed it... which I'm sure I could correct with more time with the stick and a stringing tension adjustment).

I was not able to check the string tension, so I imagine it was strung around 56 (with the 4G in 2 piece). Anyone know if 2 piece is the recommendation? The 4G felt nice, but I'm curious to try some of my current spin favs too(Dunlop Juice, Babolat Pro Hurricane Tour, or BHB7).

For groundstrokes, I didn't see the ball jump any more than usual, but I did play a regular opponent (more on this later) and there were groundies that he whiffed on as the ball jumped past him a few times, and when we played doubles I hit a defensive lob that landed deep and not only jumped over the opponent, but also jumped over the back curtain completely out of play. Odd thing was, I didn't think I put excessive spin on the lob since I was pure on the defense on the shot. BH defensive slices were good. Like I said, I wasn't swinging all out, so even with an easy swing I was getting good bite and drive with slicers.

I have good side to side control on groundies, and even with a new racquet I had the same decent control, maybe a touch more.

Volleys got progressively better as I got more used to the stick... its longer, a bit heavier, bigger head, so I did frame a few, but those I hit solid had good drive and control. I did not have the chance to try any drop shots.

Serves were noticeably better and I adjusted pretty quick to the extra length. My serve and my FH are my strengths, and the extra inch seemed to help with my 1st serve "flat" serve, and the open pattern really helped with my 1st serve slice. I think I actually had more aces with the slice. And with my 2nd serve kicker, it looked like I was getting a touch more kick.

Now (for me at least) the really interesting part. I played singles against a regular friend, then we played doubles against others. Most of the time we play doubles together or against each other, but on occasion we play singles. I've been keeping track of my matches, and I had played this friend in singles in early July and we split sets 4-6 6-3. Two weeks later I beat him 6-2. I played him last Saturday Dec 8 one set of singles and beat him 6-3.... so 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3. Looks pretty consistent.

Played him today with the new stick that I'd never touched before, not even swinging out 100%.... I beat him 6-0 and it wasn't even that close.

He felt he was playing fine (after we played singles we beat another doubles team 6-0, then beat a third team 6-4... so he more than held his own) but like I indicated, without it being real obvious, I think the little extra spin, the little extra control, the little extra length and bigger head size allowing me to get more solid returns, and the little extra + on the serves seemed to make a pretty big difference in the score.

Like I said, I'm sold. Never had a Wilson racquet before (Volkl, Prince, Babolat, Boris Becker, Dunlop)... guess I'll have a couple now!

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Thanks for the review. Much appreciate your feedback. I'l post a link of your review on first page.

couch, Luxilon will have a 15 gauge 4G string. I believe I heard it would be released in January 2013.

You are going thru the strings fairly quick, and I suspected this would happen at higher tensions. In my case, I've been stringing at 45, so makes sense I'm getting more durability.

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I could try stringing a little lower but I think 55 would be the lowest I'd be willing to try in this racquet. That's not too much of a difference. When I get a couple of these I will have the luxury to experiment a little more with tension but I think the 15g may be the best option for me at this point.

Well, I've had some experience with the 99 over the last couple hitting sessions because I've broken strings in the 99S.

I had the 99S strung with 16g 4G and I got about 3 1/2 hours out of it so I had to switch off to the 99. Today I hit for about an hour with Lux Alu BB (ran out of 4G) strung at 58 just like the 4G. The Alu BB lasted less than an hour. :cry: So this is obviously going to be an issue for me with this racquet. I think 4 hours of heavy hitting is fair and I'm able to live with that but anything under that and I may have to reconsider using this racquet.

I know there was some discussion about a 15g 4G string but I can't remember if that is actually going to happen or not. I hope it does because I may put the 15g in the mains and put 16g in the crosses- don't know. Or just go with 15g all the way through. Anyone know for sure about the 15g 4G?

I still love the 99S and prefer it over the 99 only if I can get 4 hours on a string job.

The 99 is just what you would think it would be. It's a little less powerful, hits with less spin, and feels a little more solid due to the tighter string pattern. I think the 99 is an excellent racquet in it's own right. I had mine strung with Lux Savage at 55lbs and would probably prefer 4G 16L at about 52-54lbs in this racquet. Probably 52lbs.

I have some more 4G on the way so I will continue to play test the 99S and see how it works out. I have already made up my mind that one of these is my new racquet. Hoping it's the 99S.

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Try Signum Pro Hyperion - it lasts much longer than it should per guage...

When I was hitting with Extreme Pro I also had a problem with strings lasting, but Hyperion's longevity at 16g was about twice what some other polys managed.

No, if it is a better racket, it will improve your level by 0.5-1 level.

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I believe this racquet will increase "your" level at least 1.5. This is the best racquet ever manufactured regardless of playing style, ability, etc. It just doesn't matter with this racquet. It's the best ever!! :twisted:

I believe this racquet will increase "your" level at least 1.5. This is the best racquet ever manufactured regardless of playing style, ability, etc. It just doesn't matter with this racquet. It's the best ever!! :twisted:

Try Signum Pro Hyperion - it lasts much longer than it should per guage...

When I was hitting with Extreme Pro I also had a problem with strings lasting, but Hyperion's longevity at 16g was about twice what some other polys managed.

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Thanks Anton. I have used Hyperion and Tornado quite extensively in the past but always in 17g. May have to try the 16g in this racquet. Bad thing is that I really like the way the 4G plays in this racquet. I only have one 99S at the moment and will experiment more when I have two.

It make a small improvement in a shot, like the serve, leading to a snowballing effect of improvement when you start playing more because you like what you are doing.

If you have become complacent and jaded, then a new racket can shake things up and make you interested in the game again.

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+1 I started hitting with the new APD after using a Flexpoint Radical for years...I can hit with more pace and control, while being more consistent at the same time. I am encouraged to practice more because of this, too.

I could try stringing a little lower but I think 55 would be the lowest I'd be willing to try in this racquet. That's not too much of a difference. When I get a couple of these I will have the luxury to experiment a little more with tension but I think the 15g may be the best option for me at this point.

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Please post your findings. Would be great if to get a record of what strings works well, and have extended durability. Also, the tension being used will be helpful.